Religion Vs Dharma
Are the two words synonymous and interchangeable? Religion literally means that which leads one to God. "Dharma" is derived from the root Sanskrit word "dhri" which means "to hold together". It has a wider meaning than the word "religion". There is no equivalent word for Dharma either in English or in any other language. In this sense, Hinduism is not a religion; it's a "Dharma". Those who profess the Hindu Dharma and seek to follow it, are guided by spiritual, social and moral rules, actions, knowledge and duties which are responsible for holding the human race together.
Hindu Dharma is also known by the names "Sanatana Dharma" and "Vaidik Dharma". "Sanatana" means eternal and all-pervading and "Vaidik Dharma" means the Dharma based on the Vedas. In simple terms, one can say that Dharma means code of conduct, i.e. doing the right thing, in thought, word and deed, having always in mind that behind all our deeds there is a Supreme Being. This is the teaching of the Vedas, which are the original source of our Dharma – "Vedo - Khilo Dharma Moolam."
Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, the great philosopher, statesman and former President of India has described what is Dharma in these words: "Dharma is that which binds society together. That which divides society, breaks it up into parts and makes people fight one another is Adharma (non-religion). Dharma is nothing more than the realization of the Supreme and acting in every small act of your life with that Supreme present in your mind. If you are able to do so, you are performing Dharma. If other interests pervade you, and you try to translate your mind into other regions, even though you may think you are a believer, you will not become a true believer. The real believer in God has his heart always lifted to Dharma".
According to Swami Sivananda, "Hinduism allows absolute freedom to the rational mind of man. It never demands any undue restraint upon the freedom of human reason, the freedom of thought, feeling and will of man. Hinduism is a religion of freedom, allowing the widest margin of freedom in matters of faith and worship. It allows absolute freedom of human reason and heart with regard to such questions as to the nature of God, soul, form of worship, creation, and the goal of life. It does not force anybody to accept particular dogmas or forms of worship. It allows everybody to reflect, investigate, enquire and cogitate."
Hence all manner of religious faiths, various forms of worship or spiritual practices, diverse rituals and customs have found their place, side by side, within Hinduism, and are cultured and developed in harmony with one another. Hinduism, unlike other religions, does not dogmatically assert that the final emancipation or liberation is possible only through its means and not through any other. It is only a means to an end, and all means that ultimately lead to the final goal are approved of.
The religious hospitality of Hinduism is proverbial. Hinduism is extremely liberal and catholic. This is its fundamental feature. It pays respect to all religious and does not revile any other religion, accepting and honoring truth from wherever it may come and in whatever garb it is presented.
"Yato Dhrmah Tato Jayah" - Where Dharma exists victory is guaranteed."
Regards
Air Commodore (Retd) Tanpat Pannu
Dear Allla lot of discussion is going on defining the Hindu.well I think the subject matter has been dealt in great detail by our courts and also laws specially so Hindu Personal Laws.Hindu is not a homogeneous social or racial group. It is also not a religion. It is the word which was given by Arabs like many other words like JATS by ARABS and RAJPUTS by British.So let us not try to create something new. the beauty and strength of Hinduism is that it provides you certain key freedoms and those are:1. Freedom of practising your faith? To the extent of even not believing in GOD.2. Freedom to have your own sub identity.3. Freedom to use your own logic or reasoning to question what you wish too.I feel that Shankracharya provided a right base to bring a right balance which in fact assimilated the Jains and Budhist faiths in one platform. So let us not disturb that.what we shall focus are?1. Abolition of caste system. It is a shame.2. Prevent the attempt of temple owners (more than 90% temples in the country are owned by a rich class of people who are now trying to become spokesperson of Hindus. This is the lobby which also owns Congress and BJP both.. This lobby has been controlling political power in the country since independence. This lobby is also opposing Modi) to monopolise it as a religion. The day you try it rigoursly, it will break.Colonel Ashok K Singh
On 21 April 2013 16:20, Sainik Sangh <gs@sainiksangh.org> wrote:
Friends
Its sad we cannot enforce a single law , a single language, a single education system when we have a single flag. We are incomplete by everything that constitutes a nation which is why we are still fumbling seven decades after slipping into freedom. And yet all these which are essential to define a nation are imposable with the current constitution. India has to restructure , reform and reconstitute may be into United States of India ! Natural would be one Punjab and one Bengal! All states autonomous ! Utopian but a practical solution! Religion must be ditched it has no function in a progressive society! E.g. Label Hindu has done little good to improve the quality of those who swear by it . Islam has only helped to galvanize violence as man is unable to understand what it stands for . Religion must be nationalized !Homogenous ethnicity can be a driving force for civilizational advance. Germany Japan and China y Multiculturism is corrupting as it pushes society towards capitalism and money centricity .Corruption is innate and essential component of practice of democracy as we do !
Regards
chauhan
From: indiaresists-request@lists.riseup.net [mailto:indiaresists-request@lists.riseup.net] On Behalf Of Sarbajit Roy
Sent: Sunday, April 21, 2013 8:41 AM
Dear Ravi
Where is the "corruption" element in not having a Uniform Civil Code ?
1) the Const of India has listed UCC in the Directive Principles of State Policy (saying it is highly desirable but cannot be enforced). The courts have also said the same repeatedly.
2) It is only due to the tolerance of Mughal emperors like Jahangir (whose mother was originally a Hindu) that Hindus were allowed to have their own civil law during Muslim rule - or have you forgotten that ? The British carried on with that policy by adding Christians to the list of persons allowed their own personal law.
3) IAC's position is very clear since 1924. If Muslims want 4 wives for their males (this is a gross over-simplification) then let them have it How does it affect you ? Similarly nobody is forcing you to eat Kutha meat nor can you force a Muslim through law to eat Jhatka. In fact if having 4 wives is so very good for Muslims then more Hindu males will start demanding it for their own community. Let there be hearty and organic union (marriages) between Hindus and Muslims when all the good things of each community are exchanged between them.
SarbajitOn Sun, Apr 21, 2013 at 7:57 AM, Ravindran P M <raviforjustice@gmail.com> wrote:
Mr Deepak Verma
If you do not see corruption in not enacting a Uniform Civil Code, a sine qua non for a society truly ruled by law, then you can definitely opt out of any discussion on corruption. It is my opinion that all rules must be neutral-gender, religion, community, region etc wise. The specifics in any case will have to be considered by courts which should have judges of impeccable integrity, competent, transparent in their dealings and accountable.
regards
ravi
--
Ashok Kumar Singh
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